Redd approaching OSU milestone Sophomore Michael Redd will become just the third sophomore in Ohio State history to reach 1,000 points when he connects on his 342nd point this season. He has 328 this year entering the game with Michigan. He is 14 points shy of the 1,000 point mark. Herb Williams (1978-81) and Jim Jackson (1990-92) are the only other Buckeyes to reach 1,000 points at OSU as sophomores. Only five players have scored 1,000 points in their first two seasons at OSU. In addition to Williams and Jackson, Jerry Lucas (1960-62), Dave Sorenson (1968-70) and Brad Sellers (1985-86) each reached 1,000 points in their second year at Ohio State. Lucas and Sorenson were juniors who were not eligible as freshman and Sellers was a senior. He transferred from Wisconsin.

Redd could be second quickest to 1,000 career points Buckeye legend Jerry Lucas (1960-62) reached 1,000 points during a 30-point effort against Northwestern Jan. 14, 1961 in his 38th game as a Buckeye. Michael Redd could be just the second Buckeye to reach 1,000 points in less than 50 games. Redd needs 14 points to reach 1,000. He has played in 47 games at Ohio State and has scored 986 points.

Buckeyes 21-3 when ranked higher then the Wolverines Ohio State and Michigan have faced one another 24 times with the Buckeyes ranked higher than the Wolverines. Ohio State has gone 21-3 in those games with a 12-2 record in Ann Arbor. The last time the teams played when the Buckeyes were ranked higher than UM was March 29, 1992 when No. 15 Michigan won an overtime game (75-71) over No. 3 Ohio State in the NCAA Midwest Regionals in Lexington, Ky.

Buckeyes earn first ranking since 1992-93 season Ohio State’s No. 21 ranking in the Associate Press Poll is the first Top 25 appearance for the Buckeyes since a No. 24 spot in the AP Poll Jan. 24, 1993. Ohio State also is No. 23 in the ESPN/USA Today poll this week.

OSU gets 1st back-to-back wins over ranked foes since 1992 With a win over No. 19 Wisconsin and the 73-56 victory over No. 13 Indiana the Buckeyes earned victories over back-to-back ranked foes for the first time since the 1992 campaign when No. 8 Ohio State downed No. 12 Michigan State on the road 78-65 Feb. 29 1992. Ohio State then moved to No. 5 and beat No. 18 Michigan 77-66 in Columbus March 3, 1992.

Buckeye starters scoring high from the field The five players who have started each game for Ohio State this season are knocking down 52 percent of their shots this season (372-721). Senior Jason Singleton leads the way with a .698 shooting percentage (67-96). Jon Sanderson (.556) and Ken Johnson (.547) are the other starters averaging .500 or more. Michael Redd (.472) and Scoonie Penn (.456) round out the starting five.

Ohio State makes quickest turnaround in school history Ohio State equalled its win total from last season with the win over Florida Atlantic (99-70). The win over the Owls, marked the quickest an OSU team equalled the previous season’s win total in school history (minimum eight victories). OSU finished the 1997-98 campaign with an 8-22 mark and reached that total Dec. 17. The previous record for quickest turnaround from one season to the next was during the 1915-16 to 1916-17 seasons. OSU was 9-13 in 1915-16. The Buckeyes won their ninth game the following year Jan. 13, 1917 against Oberlin (38-14). OSU finished 15-11 that season.

Michigan at Michigan State All Mateen Cleaves needed was a little inspiration from a fellow point guard and the greatest team in Michigan State history. On the same day that Magic Johnson and the 1979 national champion Spartans were honored, Cleaves awoke to score a season-high 25 points as 12th-ranked Michigan State beat Michigan, 81-67, in a Big Ten Conference battle. Cleaves finished 7-of-10 from the field and hit 10-of-11 free throws while handing out eight assists, moving within 22 of Johnson for fourth place on the school’s all-time list. Coming into the game, Cleaves was averaging just 10.5 points — nearly six below his average from last season, when he was named the Big Ten’s Player of the Year. He had connected on just 9-of-29 (27.5 percent) from the field over his last three outings.

Johnson and the 1979 squad were acknowledged at halftime, 20 years after giving Michigan State its first national title. Johnson and former coach Judd Heathcote both addressed the crowd and forward Jay Vincent had his number retired. Morris Peterson contributed 16 points as the Spartans (12-4, 1-1 Big Ten) bounced back after watching their seven-game winning streak end Wednesday with a loss at No. 23 Wisconsin in their conference opener. Josh Asselin scored 17 points and Louis Bullock added 15 for Michigan (8-9, 2-2), which still owns an 88-58 edge in the all-time series against its in-state rival.

Wolverines 8-9, 6-1 at home Michigan has defeated three ranked teams this season and has a 6-1 record at home entering the game with No. 21 Ohio State. Michigan (8-9, 2-2) has not won or lost back-to-back games since putting back-to-back wins together over Towson State (W 60-45, Nov. 30) and Bradley (W 74-44, Dec. 2). The Wolverines then lost to Western Michigan Dec. 6, 81-74 start a stretch in which Michigan has lost five on nine games. Two of the wins in that stretch were over No. Wisconsin (59-55, Dec. 30) and No. 13 Indiana (82-70, Jan. 5). Both Big Ten losses this season have come on the road to Penn State (70-52) and No. 12 Michigan State (87-81). The other win over a ranked foe this year was a 59-56 triumph over No. 22 Clemson in the Maui Classic.

OSU, Michigan series Ohio State owns a 75-66 advantage in the all-time series with Michigan dating back to the 1908-09 season. The Buckeyes are 44-25 in Columbus and 31-40 in Ann Arbor. Michigan has won the last three meetings with the last OSU win coming Jan. 2, 1997 when the Buckeyes won on the road over the No. 8 Wolverines, 73-71.

OSU vs. the Big Ten Ohio State played its 1,200th game against the current alignment of Big Ten teams against Indiana (Jan. 9). The Buckeyes earned their 600th win over current Big Ten opponents with a 70-62 win over Penn State in the earliest Big Ten game ever played Nov. 20 in Columbus. The Buckeyes won in their 1,200th game vs. Big Ten teams against No. 13 Indiana 73-56 Jan. 9 in Columbus. Big Ten

Brian Ellerbe at Michigan Michigan’s Brian Ellerbe is in his second season with the Wolverines after coaching for three years at Loyola (Md.). He compiled a record of 34-47 at Loyola before leaving for an assistant’s position at Michigan. Ellerbe then became the interim head coach following the departure of former head coach Steve Fisher. Ellerbe went 25-9 last year and won the first Big Ten Tournament after a fourth-place finish in the Big Ten regular season. With an 8-9 start this season, Ellerbe has a career record of 67-65 in five seasons as a head coach.

OSU three-point field goal streak extended to 201 Ohio State has connected on at least one three-point field goal attempt over the last 200 games. Junior Scoonie Penn extended the streak with a three in the first half (11:59) against Iowa. Five different player have extended the streak this season. Penn has extended the streak eight times followed by sophomore Michael Redd (5), freshman Brian Brown (2), sophomore Jon Sanderson (1) and freshman Boban Savovic (1). The last time an OSU team missed all attempts from three-point range was Feb. 2, 1992 when the Bucks went 0 for 5 in a 68-58 OSU win over Michigan. Buckeye opponents have a streak of 193-consecutive games with at least one three-pointer made. Michigan went 0-10 from long range March 3, 1992 in an OSU 75-66 victory, marking the last time an opponent was held without a three-pointer.

Buckeyes lead league in scoring Ohio State leads the Big Ten in scoring this season after 17 games with a 76.7 scoring average. As a team, OSU rates among the Top 5 in nine categories. The Buckeyes are second in scoring margin (+13.0) and turnover margin (+3.88), third in field goal percentage (.484), blocked shots (4.06) and steals (9.0), fourth in offensive rebounds (14.41) and fifth in field goal percentage defense (.402) and rebound margin (+4.5).

OSU individuals in the Big Ten Individually, sophomore Michael Redd is fourth in scoring (19.3 ppg.) and sixth in field goal percentage (.472) and offensive rebounds (2.41). Junior Scoonie Penn is third in assists (4.65), sixth in steals (2.00) and eighth in field goal percentage (.456), 3-pointers made (2.18) and scoring (15.6 ppg.) and 10th in 3-point field goal percentage (.385). Junior Ken Johnson is third in blocks (2.59) and 10th (t) in rebounding (6.1). Senior Jason Singleton is eighth in steals (1.82). He would lead the league in field goal percentage (.698) but has not averaged the minimum of five field goals made per game.

Buckeye bits… OSU is 12-1 when leading at the half…52 times members of the Buckeyes have scored in double figures this season, Michael Redd has been in double digits in each game, Scoonie Penn 14 times…Ten different Buckeyes have scored in double figures this season…Redd has scored in double figures in 46 of 47 career games, including the last 34…He has six career double-doubles after his 28-point, 12 rebound effort against UAB (12/21) in the first round of the Puerto Rico Holiday Classic.

Opponents shooting 40.2 percent Buckeye opponents went over the 40 percent shooting for the first time after Iowa knocked down 53 percent of its shots last Tuesday in a Hawkeye 71-68 victory. Ohio State has held 9 of 17 opponents under 40 percent shooting this season. Opponents are shooting just 40.2 percent overall from the field (377-937). Ohio State has been held under 40 percent just twice. Penn State allowed the Buckeyes to connect on 26 of 66 attempts for 39.4 percent and Miami held OSU to 36.2 percent (25-69). OSU is shooting 48.8 percent on the season (488-1,008).

Aggressive defense helps OSU Not only is the Ohio State defense holding opponents to 40 percent shooting from the field, it has been blocking shots and helping itself with steals as well. Ohio State has blocked more than twice as many shots as its opponents (69-33) and has a 153-90 advantage in steals. Ken Johnson is the leading shot blocker with 44 while four Buckeyes have 10 or more steals. Scoonie Penn leads with 34 followed by Jason Singleton (31), Michael Redd (26) and Brian Brown (21).

Penn reaches 1,000 pts., Redd close Two Buckeyes will reach 1,000 career points this season. Sophomore Michael Redd went over the 900 mark (911) with 19 vs. Mississippi. He is 14 points shy after his record-setting freshman campaign (658 pts.) and his 328 so far this season (entering the Michigan game Jan. 16). He helped his cause with 30 points, his second highest single game outing of his career, against Wisconsin and most recently with 12 against Iowa. Another Buckeye, junior Scoonie Penn, reached 1,000 points as well for his career. He tallied 737 during two seasons at Boston College. He has scored 266 at Ohio after scoring 21 against Iowa to reach the 1,000-point plateau.

Three Buckeyes make Puerto Rico All-Tournament team Sophomore Michael Redd was selected as the Puerto Rico Holiday Classic MVP while teammates Jason Singleton and Scoonie Penn joined him on the all-tournament team. Redd averaged 23.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, scoring 70 points in the three-day event. He connected on 53 percent of his shots from the field as well. Singleton, a senior forward, scored on 74 percent of his shots from the field (14-19) while averaging 12.7 points and 6.7 rebounds. Penn, who led all scorers with 20 points in the championship game, averaged 16.7 points, while adding 15 assists and six steals. Penn also knocked down 80 percent of his free throws (16-20).

Iowa game notes Ohio State’s junior point guard Scoonie Penn scored his 1,000th point of his career with 10:05 to play in the second half Tuesday against Iowa, giving the Buckeyes a 55-52 lead. Penn, who finished with a game-high 21 points in a 71-68 loss to No. 12 Iowa, scored 737 points in two seasons at Boston College. He has 266 points so far in his first season at Ohio State. Penn has 1,003 career points. Against Iowa, Penn also added eight assists, tying a career high, four rebounds and four assists in 37 minutes. n Ohio State is now 58-66 against Iowa after the 71-68 loss. The loss is Ohio State’s first at Value City Arena. n Ohio State entered the game ranked No. 21 in the Associated Press poll. It is Ohio State’s highest ranking since January 1993, when the Buckeyes were ranked No. 21. In addition, Ohio State is also ranked No. 23 in this week’s ESPN/USA Today poll.

The contest marked the first time Ohio State played anAssociated Press-ranked team while being ranked itself since Jan.24, 1993, when the No. 24 Buckeyes lost at No. 2 Indiana, 96-69.That was also the last time Ohio State was ranked in the AP Poll.Ohio State has connected on at least one three-point goal in 201straight games. Scoonie Penn extended the streak with a trey at the11:59 mark in the first half. Penn has extended the streak eighttimes this season. After his 12-point performance, Michael Redd hasscored in double figures in 46 of his 47 career games, includingall 17 this year. Redd is now just 14 points away from reaching the1,000-point plateau. Ohio State set a season high in free throwpercentage, drilling nine of their ten attempts (90%). TheBuckeyes’ previous best was 71 percent (22 of 31) on Nov. 28 atVanderbilt. Scoonie Penn tied a season high with eight assists. Hepreviously recorded eight assists in games against Oakland(11/13/98) and North Carolina State (12/22/98). Penn also recordedfour steals, which is his second best output on the season. Penndrilled all three of Ohio State’s three-point goals. Ken Johnsonadded two more blocks to his career total. He now has 44 on theseason and 102 in his career, which places him seventh on the OSUcareer blocked shot chart. He trails sixth-place Perry Carter bythree blocks. After out-rebounding Iowa 32-28, Ohio State has nowout-rebounded their opponents in all four Big Ten games.

Noting the Buckeyes…

Neshaun Coleman…Has played double-digit minutes in seven games this season in abackup role…High of 11 points and three three-pointers againstOakland (11/13/98)…has eight assists and six steals and just oneturnover in 13.0 minutes a game this season…has connected on hislast 17 free throws, though has not been to the line thisseason…his one assist against Miami gave him 200 for his career.

Scoonie Penn… Eclipsed the 1,000 career-point mark with 21 vs. Iowa (1/12/99)…has 14 double-digit scoring outings this season, including his last eight games…scored a season-high 24 at Toledo…has scored in double figures in 11 of last 12 games..is shooting 38.5 percent from three-point range (37-96)…shot just 32 percent from three-point range at Boston College…has two or more threes in 12 games…leads team in minutes played with 578 (34.0)…Big Ten Player of the Week (11/16)…has started all 73 games in which he has appeared…has at least one assist in all but one game in his career (Miami, 1/2/97)…voted to the all-tournament team in Puerto Rico.

Brian Brown… Knocked down clutch 3-pointer in overtime to put OSU up for good in win over Wisconsin (1/2/99)…it was his first three in six games…third on team with 31 assists…has scored in every game…failed to record an assist for the first time in his career against Miami (12/27)…has played 14 or more minutes in every game, averages 19.1 minutes a contest…adds depth to the guard spots.

Boban Savovic… Tied career-high three 3-pointers in overtime win over Wisconsin (1/2/99)…had career high 16 points against UT Martin…hit 6 of 8 shots vs. the Skyhawks, including 3 of 5 three-pointers…also added three assists vs. UTM…connected on 5 of 6 FTs vs. Army…scored 10 points in that game with three assists in 22 minutes…hit all four FTs in win over Indiana (1/9/99)…also added four rebounds, two assists and a steal vs. the Hoosiers. Michael Redd…Has been Big Ten co-player of the week twice this season (12/21/98, 1/4/99)…Needs 14 points to reach 1,000 for career…leads team with 19.3 ppg…Puerto Rico Holiday Classic MVP…also has 30 assists and 26 steals…set a career high with six steals against Miami (12/27/98)…second on team in rebounding with 5.8 rpg…second on team in minutes played with 30.7 mpg…has started all 47 OSU games in career…leads team with 120 FGs this season…had career high six three-pointers made vs. Oakland (11/13) and Florida Atlantic (12/17)…41 of 99 rebounds this season are on offensive end…has at least two rebounds in every game as a Buckeye (47 gms).

Jason Singleton… Having a productive senior year…shooting .698 percent from the field (67-96) after 8 of 9 outing against Indiana (1/9/99) and 6 of 10 effort vs. Iowa (1/12/99) …connected on 73.7 percent of his shots in Puerto Rico (14-19) to earn a spot on the all-tournament team…hit 7 of 8 FTs to seal win over Alabama (11/15/98)…has played in 100 games at OSU…leads team with 2,460 career minutes…has connected on at least 60 percent of his shots from the field in 12 of 17 games this season…needs five steals to reach 100 for his career.

Devon Smith… Has appeared in four games…played 10 minutes in win over Army (11/22/98). Kwadjo Steele…Had career high four points against Florida-Atlantic…knocked down first career 3-pointer against UT Martin…has seen action in six games…scored two points in opener against Oakland…grabbed three boards in win over Army.

Ken Johnson… Needs three blocks to tie and four to take over the No. 6 spot all time at Ohio State…Enters game with Michigan with 102 career rejections…Perry Carter (1988-91) is No. 6 with 105…set career-high in rebounds in back-to-back games with 11 against Miami (12/27/98) and 12 at Wisconsin (1/2/99)…added 11 rebounds in win over Indiana to give him 11 or more in three-consecutive games…tied career high with 15 points at Vanderbilt (11/28/98)…set career high with seven blocks against both Robert Morris and Vanderbilt…hit 7 of 8 shots from the field vs. Vanderbilt…leads team with 44 blocks…has at least one block in 36 games as a Buckeye and 15 of 17 this year.

Jon Sanderson… Connected on 7 of 7 shots against Florida Atlantic (12/17)…had season-high 18 points vs. Army…connected on 6 of 13 (.462) from three-point range…one of four Buckeyes in double figures against UT Martin (10 pts.)…has started 45 of 47 career games as a Buckeye…is shooting 55.6 percent from the floor this year (45-81).

George Reese… Top player off the bench…in the game when it counts…made all six FT attempts against Vanderbilt…buried a pair of free throws late in game with Wisconsin to tie score at 66 in regulation…capable of giving team a boost both on the offensive and defensive end of the floor…has two double figure scoring games and six games with nine points.

Will Dudley… Has appeared in 14 of 17 games this season…shooting 68 percent from the field (13-19)…connected on all five shots against Army for career best 11 points.

Shamar Herron… Had season high five points in win over Army…has played in six games this season with high of 13 minutes against Army…had seven rebounds vs. the Cadets…24 of his 55 career rebounds have been on the offensive end of the floor.

Buckeyes Celebrating 100 Years Ohio State celebrates 100 years of men’s basketball during the 1998-99 season. The Buckeyes first fielded a team in 1898, posting a record of 12-4. Since then, OSU has compiled a record of 1,264-902 (.584). Since joining the Big Ten, Ohio State has won or tied for 15 conference titles, winning 10 outright. OSU has an overall record in Big Ten games of 610-599 in 87 years of membership. Along the way, the Buckeyes have produced 14 All-Americans, three Associated Press players of the year, 13 NBA first round draft picks, eight members of the National Basketball Hall of Fame, two U.S. Olympians and countless others national, international, conference and local award winners and team members.

Michael Redd scores first Buckeye basket in Value City Arena The clock showed 18 minutes, 20 seconds remaining in the first half when Buckeye sophomore Michael Redd squared and launched a left-handed three-pointer from the right wing. The attempt found the target, giving Ohio State a 3-0 lead, marking the first official basket made at Value City Arena. For Redd, it was just the start of a 29-point effort in leading the Buckeyes to an 89-61 victory. Redd made the first shot in each of the exhibition openers as well.

Redd preseason all-Big Ten selection Both the Big Ten coaches and media selected the same five players to their preseason all-Big Ten Teams at the annual media day festivities in Chicago (Oct. 25). Ohio State sophomore Michael Redd earned a selection along with Louis Bullock (Michigan), Mateen Cleaves (Michigan State), Evan Eschmeyer (Northwestern) and A.J. Guyton (Indiana). Cleaves was tabbed as the preseason Big Ten Player of the Year.

Recruiting class among Top 15 After the conclusion of the early 1998-99 recruiting season, the Ohio State class of Brent Darby, a 6-0, 185-pound guard, Slobodan Ocokoljic (o-SOAK-o-litch) a 6-8, 210-pound forward and Aleksandar Radojevic (Ra-DOY-yo-vitch), a 7-3, 245-pound center, is ranked with the Top 15 classes nationally. Hoopscoop has OSU tied at No. 15 with Kansas. Basketball Times rates the class No. 14 and Van Coleman of Future Stars rates the class No. 11.